Remembering the Life and Legacy of Religious Broadcaster Pat Robertson who died at 93

Pat Robertson, Founder of Christian Coalition, Dead at 93

The renowned religious broadcaster, Pat Robertson, passed away at the age of 93. Robertson who was known for his Christian Coalition, the television show, 700 Club, the Regent University, an evangelical Christian school, and the American Center for Law and Justice left an impressive legacy.

Transformation from Politics to Religion

Robertson’s path to religion is an intriguing one. He was interested in politics until he had a religious epiphany. He received a Master’s in Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary in 1959. Robertson’s transformation saw him use the secular talk show format of the network’s flagship show, the 700 Club, which gained massive audiences.

Impact on U.S Politics and Religion

Robertson paved the way for religion to play a more active role in shaping U.S politics. Many political candidates are now courting Iowa’s evangelical Christian churches, a strategy that Robertson pioneered in his quest to be the Republican nominee for President in 1988. The Christian Coalition became a major force in Republican politics in the 1990s, mobilizing conservative voters through grassroots activities.

Controversial Moments

Robertson’s on-air pronouncements were at times, contentious. He made several inflammatory comments, including claims that the terrorist attacks on 9/11 were God’s response to pornography, abortion rights, and church-state separation. He also called for the assassination of the Venezuelan President, Hugo Chávez, and warned the residents of a rural Pennsylvania town not to be surprised if disaster struck them after voting out school board members who favored teaching intelligent design over evolution.

Editorial

Pat Robertson was undoubtedly one of the most influential religious broadcasters of our time. His legacy spanned over half a century, and the impact of his contribution to religion and politics in the U.S was immense. Robertson’s enterprises included Regent University, an evangelical Christian school in Virginia Beach, the American Center for Law and Justice, and the Operation Blessing, an international humanitarian organization.

As we bid farewell to Pat Robertson, we must acknowledge his contributions and his legacy. Robertson helped solidify the place of religion in American politics and cemented the alliance between conservative Christians and the Republican party. His influence was not without controversy, as he made several inflammatory comments at times. However, his contribution to Christianity and tackling issues that mattered to Christians will be remembered by many.

Advice

Pat Robertson’s legacy showcases the impact of using media to reach out to audiences. Religion played a more active role in shaping U.S politics due to his influence, and his innovative use of the media ensured that he remained relevant. Leaders in politics and religion can learn from Robertson’s strategies and find new ways of using media to reach people in their respective communities.